KR101349230B1 - Mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The portable terminal 10 includes an LCD monitor 28. In the display area of the LCD monitor 28, a character display area 44 capable of displaying a character string indicating a mail body, a hiragana virtual keyboard, or the like is provided. A virtual keyboard display area 46 that can be displayed is included. The touch panel 36 is formed on the upper surface of the LCD monitor 28, and the touch panel 36 detects a touch operation on the character display area 44 or the like. Then, by sliding a finger in the character display area 44, the selection position in the virtual keyboard can be moved, and the character key indicated by the selection position, that is, the character corresponding to the focused character key, is displayed in the character display area 44. Is displayed.

Description

Mobile terminal {MOBILE TERMINAL}

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a portable terminal. Specifically, It is related with the portable terminal which inputs a character using a touchscreen, for example.

Background Art Conventionally, a portable terminal for inputting characters using a touch panel is known, and an example of this kind of apparatus is disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1. In this background art, in an iPhone (trademark) equipped with a touch panel, a tap (tap lightly on the touch panel), drag (touch the touch panel up, down, left, or right) with respect to the on-screen keyboard displayed on the screen Move) and flick (flick the screen on the touch panel) to enter text. In addition, full keyboard input and ten-key input exist in Japanese input by the on-screen keyboard.

For example, when a character is input by a memo function or the like, a character display area on which the entered character is displayed and a keyboard display area on which the on-screen keyboard is displayed are displayed on the screen. In full keyboard input, the keyboard of the QWERTY array is displayed in the keyboard display area, and Japanese, that is, hiragana, can be input by Roman input. In addition, the ten-key input is a character input method used in a conventional cellular phone, and ten keys from line A to line W are displayed in the keyboard display area. And when inputting "い", two taps are performed with respect to the key of "あ".

In the ten-key input, when the ten-key board is tapped for about one second, the candidate character appears in the cross direction. If the user slides his or her finger, the character in the slide direction can be input. For example, if the key of "あ" is tapped for about 1 second, "い" is displayed in the left direction, "う" in the upper direction, "え" in the right direction, and "o" in the downward direction. For example, if it slides to the left, "い" is input.

Moreover, in the prior art disclosed by patent document 1, it is a mobile telephone provided with the display screen and a touchpad which display a virtual keyboard. By operating the touch pad, the user moves the selection candidate key on the virtual keyboard, and when a finger is released from the touch pad, the user can select the last candidate key.

In the full keyboard input in Non-Patent Document 1, since the keys displayed on the screen are small, characters may be input incorrectly. In addition, when the display of the key is enlarged, the area for displaying the input characters becomes small, and it becomes difficult to input a long sentence such as an e-mail. In addition, since there are few keys displayed in the ten-key input, it is less likely to enter a character incorrectly. However, since it is necessary to tap or slide a plurality of times in order to input one character, operation becomes complicated. In addition, in the case of assigning a plurality of characters to one key, hiragana may be assigned a character of the same line having a high relevance, but since alphabets and symbols have low relevance to other characters, the alphabet and symbols by Tenkey It is not suitable for input.

In addition, in patent document 1, the touchpad for operating a virtual keyboard cannot be superimposed on a display part like a touchscreen, and the size of a mobile telephone becomes large by providing a touchpad. Also, when the finger is removed from the touch pad, the character is confirmed, and therefore, the character to be input must be selected in one operation. Therefore, as the number of keys included in the virtual keyboard increases, the relative ratio of the amount of movement in the virtual keyboard increases with respect to the amount of movement of the finger, making it difficult to select each key.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-196007 [G06F 3/023, H03M 11/04]

 ipod Fan Special iPhone 3G Complete Guide, published by Mainichi Communications, Inc. (pages 14-15)

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel portable terminal and a character display program applied to a processor of such a portable terminal.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a character display program applied to a portable terminal and a processor of such a portable terminal capable of easily and accurately inputting characters.

MEANS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM In order to solve the said subject, the portable terminal which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention is comprised with a display apparatus, a touch operation detection means, a character selection means, and a character display control means. The display device is a display device including a first display area capable of displaying character strings and a second display area capable of displaying a virtual keyboard. The touch operation detection means detects a touch operation in the touch reaction area in the touch reaction area formed in the display device. The character selection means selects a character in the virtual keyboard based on the touch operation detected by the touch operation detection means. The character display control means displays the character selected by the character selection means in the first display area.

According to the above-described apparatus, the user can easily select a character of the virtual keyboard by a touch operation and accurately perform character input.

1 is a block diagram showing a portable terminal of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an appearance of the portable terminal shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a virtual keyboard is displayed on the LCD monitor shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation procedure for the touch panel shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 5A is another diagram showing an example of an operation procedure for the touch panel shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5B is another diagram showing an example of an operation procedure for the touch panel shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 6 is another diagram showing an example of an operation procedure for the touch panel shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is another diagram illustrating an example of a state in which a virtual keyboard is displayed on the LCD monitor illustrated in FIG. 1.
8A is another diagram showing an example of a state in which a virtual keyboard is displayed on the LCD monitor shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 8B is another diagram showing an example of a state in which a virtual keyboard is displayed on the LCD monitor shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating an example of a type of virtual keyboard used in the mobile terminal illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating an example of a type of virtual keyboard used in the portable terminal illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of the RAM shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a virtual keyboard control process of the CPU shown in FIG. 1.
12 is a flowchart illustrating vector detection processing of the CPU shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a selection position movement process of the CPU shown in FIG. 1.
14 is still another diagram showing an example of a state in which a virtual keyboard is displayed on the LCD monitor shown in FIG. 1.

<First embodiment of the present invention>

Referring to FIG. 1, the portable terminal 10 is a touch panel 36 controlled by a CPU (sometimes called a processor or computer) 20, a key input device 22, and a touch panel control circuit 34. ). The CPU 20 controls the radio communication circuit 14 to output a call signal. The output call signal is transmitted from the antenna 12 and transmitted to the mobile communication network including the base station. When the call partner performs the answering operation, the call enabled state is established.

When the call termination operation is performed by the key input device 22 or the touch panel 36 after the transition to the call enabled state, the CPU 20 controls the wireless communication circuit 14 to send a call end signal to the call partner. Send. After the transmission of the call termination signal, the CPU 20 ends the call processing. Even when the call end signal is received from the call partner first, the CPU 20 ends the call processing. In addition, regardless of the call partner, even when a call termination signal is received from the mobile communication network, the CPU 20 ends the call processing.

When the call signal from the call partner is picked up by the antenna 12 in the state where the portable terminal 10 is activated, the radio communication circuit 14 notifies the CPU 20 of the incoming call. The CPU 20 causes the LCD monitor 28, which is a display device, to display the source information described in the incoming notification. In addition, the CPU 20 outputs the ringing tone from the incoming call notification speaker.

In the call enabled state, the following processing is executed. The modulated audio signal (high frequency signal) sent from the call partner is received by the antenna 12. The received modulated voice signal is subjected to demodulation processing and decoding processing by the radio communication circuit 14. The sign language audio signal thus obtained is output from the speaker 18. The coded audio signal received by the microphone 16 is subjected to an encoding process and a modulation process by the wireless communication circuit 14. As a result, the generated modulated voice signal is transmitted to the call partner using the antenna 12 in the same manner as described above.

The touch panel 36 functioning as a touch operation detection means is a pointing device for instructing a user of any position within the screen of the LCD monitor 28. When the touch panel 36 is operated by pressing, sliding (touching) or touching the upper surface with a finger, the touch panel 36 detects the operation. And when the touch panel 36 detects a touch, the touch panel control circuit 34 specifies the position of the operation, and outputs the coordinate data of the operated operation position to the CPU 20. That is, the user can input the direction, figure, etc. of the operation to the portable terminal 10 by pressing, sliding, or touching the upper surface of the touch panel 36 with a finger.

In addition, the touch panel 36 is called a capacitive method in which a finger detects a change in capacitance between electrodes generated when a finger approaches the surface of the touch panel 36, and one or more fingers are touch panel 36. Detect what touches). Specifically, the touch panel 36 employs a projection type capacitance method that detects a change in capacitance between electrodes generated by approaching a finger by forming an electrode pattern on a transparent film or the like. As the detection method, a surface type capacitance method may be employed, or a resistive film method, an ultrasonic method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, or the like may be used.

Here, the operation in which the user touches the upper surface of the touch panel 36 with a finger is called "touch". On the other hand, the operation of releasing a finger from the touch panel 36 is called "release." In addition, the operation of rubbing the surface of the touch panel 36 is called a slide. The coordinates indicated by the touch are referred to as "touch points", and the coordinates of the end position of the operation indicated by release are referred to as "release points". In addition, the operation which a user touches the upper surface of the touch panel 36, and continues to release is called "touch and release." The operation performed on the touch panel 36 such as touch, release, slide, and touch and release is generally referred to as "touch operation". In addition, the operation with respect to the touch panel 36 may not be limited to a finger only, but may be performed with the bar which the tip of a pen etc. becomes thin. Moreover, in order to perform operation, you may be provided with the exclusive touch pen etc. As for the touch point in the case of touching using a finger, the center of gravity of the finger touching the touch panel 36 becomes the touch point.

2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the mobile terminal 10. Referring to FIG. 2, the portable terminal 10 has a case C formed in a plate shape. The microphone 16 and the speaker 18 which are not shown in FIG. 2 are built in the case C. As shown in FIG. The opening OP2 through the built-in microphone 16 is formed in the main surface of one longitudinal direction of the case C, and the opening OP1 through the built-in speaker 18 is the case C. Is formed on the main surface of the other in the longitudinal direction. That is, a user hears the sound output from the speaker 18 through the opening OP1, and inputs a voice into the microphone 16 through the opening OP2.

The key input device 22 includes three types of keys, the call key 22a, the menu key 22b, and the closing key 22c. Each key is provided on the main surface of the case C. Is formed. The LCD monitor 28 is mounted so that the monitor screen is exposed on the main surface of the case C. In addition, the touch panel 36 is formed on the upper surface of the LCD monitor 28.

The user performs a response operation by operating the call key 22a, and performs a call termination operation by operating the seed key 22c. In addition, the user displays the menu screen on the LCD monitor 28 by operating the menu key 22b. And the power supply on / off operation of the portable terminal 10 can be performed by holding down the seed key 22c for a long time.

In addition, the portable terminal 10 has a mail function, and in this mail function, a character can be input by creating a new mail, creating a reply mail, or the like. In addition, the cellular phone 10 can also input characters using other functions, for example, an address book editing function, a memo pad function, or the like. Here, in the present embodiment, character input is performed using the virtual keyboard displayed on the LCD monitor 28, not the keys formed on the key input device 22.

3 is a diagram showing a display example of the virtual keyboard displayed on the LCD monitor 28. Referring to FIG. 3, the LCD monitor 28 includes a status display area 40 and a function display area 42. In the present embodiment, the entire surface of the LCD monitor 28 is covered with the touch panel 36 as described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and a part of the surface of the LCD monitor 28 may be covered with the touch panel 36.

In the status display area 40, the radio wave reception state by the antenna 12, the remaining battery capacity of the rechargeable battery, the current date and time, and the like are displayed. In the function display area 42, an image, a character string, or the like of a function executed in the portable terminal 10 is displayed. In Fig. 3, a mail body creation screen by a mail function is displayed. The functional display area 42 on which the mail body creation screen is displayed is further composed of two display areas. First, the mail body is displayed in the character display area 44 which is the first display area. In addition, in the virtual keyboard display area 46 which is the second display area, a virtual keyboard for inputting characters is displayed. Here, the origin of the character display area 44 and the virtual keyboard display area 46 is at the upper left end. That is, the horizontal coordinates become larger as they progress from the upper left to the upper right, and the vertical coordinates increase as they progress from the upper left to the lower left.

In the initial state of the virtual keyboard, a letter key of "mi" is selected, and the background color of the letter key of "み" in the virtual keyboard is colored yellow. Characters corresponding to the character keys selected among the virtual keyboards are displayed as characters during selection in the character display area 44. In addition, the selection of the character key in the virtual keyboard is called "focus", and the position of the focused character key is called the selection position. In addition, the background color of the character keys in a normal state is colored gray. Underscores U are added to &quot; み &quot; displayed in the character display area 44, indicating that they are characters during selection.

In addition, about the status display area 40, the function display area 42, the character display area 44, the virtual keyboard display area 46, the cursor CU, and the underline U which are shown in FIG. Since it is the same, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted in another figure for simplicity. In addition, the virtual keyboard shown in FIG. 3 may be called hiragana or a virtual keyboard.

Here, in order to focus the character keys other than "み" in a virtual keyboard, you may slide with respect to the character display area 44. FIG.

4 is a diagram showing a procedure of focusing arbitrary letter keys on a virtual keyboard. With reference to FIG. 4, the finger F1 touches the character display area 44. Touch range T1 represents the range which touches the touch panel 36 by the touch of the finger F1. In addition, the finger F1 'shows the state after the finger T1 slides from left to right. That is, FIG. 4 shows an operation of sliding from left to right with respect to the character display area 44. The arrow Y1 in the right direction indicates a vector corresponding to the slide.

The vector indicated by this arrow Y1, that is, the amount of slide movement (slide amount), can calculate the coordinates of the touch point and the current touch position or release point using three-square theorem, and the selected position is moved. The direction can be obtained from the direction of the vector. In addition, when calculating the movement number (selection movement number) of a movement position from a slide amount, it can obtain | require by the formula shown in Formula (1).

[Equation 1]

Slide amount / conversion value = selection shift

For example, as shown by the finger F1 and the finger F1 'of FIG. 4, when it slides from left to right, a selection position moves to the right. At this time, if the slide amount of the vector represented by the arrow Y1 is 250 and the converted value is 50, the number of selected movements is 5 from the equation shown in Expression (1). In addition, since the vector indicated by the arrow Y1 is in the right direction, five selection positions move to the right. That is, the character key to be focused becomes "KI" from "み".

In addition, when the selection position is moved, the background color of the focused character keys, i.e., the letter keys of "み", "HI", "に", "ち", and "SHI" is colored pale yellow. In addition, the character during selection is updated every time the selection position moves. That is, when the focused character key in the virtual keyboard is updated in the order of "み", "ひ", "に", "ち", "し", and "き", the character display area 44 shows "み". , "ひ", "に", "ち", "し", and "き" are displayed in order. Here, the CPU 20 controls the character generator 24 and the LCD driver 26 to sequentially display characters during selection. Specifically, the CPU 20 instructs the character generator 24 to generate character image data of the character during selection, and subsequently instructs the LCD driver 26 to display the character during selection. When the character generator 24 is instructed by the CPU 20 to generate character image data of a character during selection, the character generator 24 generates character image data corresponding to the character during selection, and generates a VRAM ( 26a). Next, the LCD driver 26 displays the character image data stored in the VRAM 26a on the LCD monitor 28 when an instruction is displayed from the CPU 20 to display characters during selection. Therefore, when the characters are displayed sequentially during selection, the character image data stored in the VRAM 26a is updated.

In this way, since the portable terminal 10 sequentially displays characters during selection when the slide is operated, the user can sequentially check each of the selected characters.

In addition, the letter key whose background color is light yellow is returned to gray when a predetermined time (about 1 second) elapses. In addition, millimeters (mm), an inch, a dot, etc. may be used for the unit of a slide amount. In addition, the converted value may be set arbitrarily according to a user. Moreover, you may have a conversion value for a vertical direction, and a conversion value for a horizontal direction so that the selection movement number of a vertical direction may differ from the selection movement number of a horizontal direction. In addition, since the finger F1, F1 ', the touch range T1, and the touch range T1' shown in FIG. 4 are also the same in other drawings, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted in the other figure for simplicity.

5A and 5B are diagrams for describing a process of correcting a direction of a vector corresponding to a slide in an inclined direction with a vector in a left, right, or up and down direction. Referring to FIG. 5A, the finger F1 and the finger F1 ′ show an operation that is slid upward in the right oblique direction after touching with the finger F1. The movement amount of the vector, i.e., the slide indicated by the arrow Y2 in the right oblique upward direction, can be decomposed into the horizontal movement amount in the right direction and the vertical movement amount in the right direction as shown in FIG. 5B. Then, the absolute value of the horizontal movement amount and the vertical movement amount are compared, the direction of the vector is corrected in the direction indicated by the larger movement amount, and the number of selected movements is calculated from the larger movement amount. For example, in FIG. 5B, since the horizontal movement amount is large in the vertical movement amount and the horizontal movement amount, the vector indicated by the arrow Y2 is corrected in the horizontal direction, and the selected movement number is calculated from the horizontal movement amount.

In addition, when the absolute value of the horizontal movement amount and the vertical movement amount are the same, calculation of the number of selection movements is not performed. That is, the direction of the vector is not corrected and the movement position is not moved. This is because when the absolute value of the horizontal movement amount and the vertical movement amount are the same, the angle of the vector with respect to the horizontal axis is 45 degrees, so that the CPU 20 is conscious of the left / right direction or the vertical direction of the slide operation? This is because it cannot be judged clearly.

In this manner, in the portable terminal 10, since the direction of the vector is limited to the horizontal direction or the vertical direction in the operation of the slide, it is possible to prevent an incorrect operation when selecting a character key in the virtual keyboard.

Further, the direction of the vector may be corrected from the ratio of the horizontal movement amount and the vertical movement amount. Specifically, according to the formula shown in Formula (2), the ratio of the vertical movement amount and the horizontal movement amount is calculated, and when the ratio is larger than 1, the vector is corrected in the vertical direction. On the other hand, if the ratio is smaller than 1, that is, the vector is corrected in the horizontal direction. If the ratio is 1, since the angle of the vector with respect to the horizontal axis is 45 degrees, the number of selection movements is not calculated.

&Quot; (2) &quot;

Vertical Shift / Horizontal Shift = Ratio

6 is a diagram showing an operation procedure of determining a character during selection. Referring to FIG. 6, when the touch range T2 is displayed again with the finger F2 in the state where the finger F1 is touched, the character “ki” during the selection is determined, and the underline U disappears. In addition, the background color of the letter key of "ki" in the virtual keyboard is colored red, indicating that the letter of "ki" is determined. This determined character is stored in the RAM 32 as mail body data. Here, after sliding, the operation which touches the 2nd point again and confirms a character is called "determination operation."

In this way, since the character during selection can be determined by continuously touching after sliding, the character during selection can be easily determined using the touch panel 36. In addition, since the plurality of characters can be continuously input by determining the character under selection, the user can create a sentence.

In addition, the character key whose background color is colored red is returned to gray when a predetermined time elapses, similarly to the character key whose background color is colored pale yellow. In addition, in the determination operation, the position touched by the finger F2 is not limited to the character display area 44 alone, and may be in any of the display areas of the virtual keyboard display area 46 and the status display area 40. In addition, as another determination operation, the character during selection may be determined by operating the menu key 22b or the like while the character during the arbitrary selection is displayed. For example, when using a touch panel which cannot detect two points of simultaneous touches, the menu key 22b may be used for the determination operation.

7 is a diagram showing a display example in which the display size of the virtual keyboard is changed. With reference to FIG. 7, a part of the virtual keyboard is displayed in the virtual keyboard display area 46. Character keys not displayed in the virtual keyboard display area 46 are indicated by dotted lines. Then, horizontal scrolling SCa and vertical scrolling SCb are displayed to indicate that a part of the virtual keyboard is not displayed, and in each scroll, scrolling is performed to indicate the position of the displayed virtual keyboard. A bar is included.

In other words, the user cannot visually recognize the character key indicated by the dotted line. So, here, the display of the virtual keyboard is scrolled in order to be able to visually recognize the letter keys indicated by the dotted lines. Hereinafter, the procedure of scrolling the display of a virtual keyboard is demonstrated.

8A and 8B are diagrams showing a procedure for scrolling the display of the virtual keyboard. In addition, the status display area 40, the function display area 42, the character display area 44, the virtual keyboard display area 46, the cursor (CU), the underline (U), the horizontal scroll (SCa) and the vertical scroll ( Arrows indicating SCb) are omitted. Referring to Fig. 8A, when the vector is represented by the downward arrow Y3, the focused character key moves from "み" to "む". The letter key "mu" is a letter key displayed at one end of the virtual keyboard display area 46. Since the direction of the vector is downward, the display of the virtual keyboard is scrolled downward. That is, as shown in Fig. 8B, the two-row character key group located under the "MU" character key is displayed in the virtual keyboard display area 46, and the two-row character key group positioned on the "MU" character key is The virtual keyboard display area 46 is not displayed. In addition, the scroll bar in the vertical scroll SCb moves downward.

That is, when the focused character key is the character key displayed at one end of the virtual keyboard display area 46, the direction of scrolling is determined from the direction of the vector to scroll the display of the virtual keyboard.

In addition, as shown in Fig. 8B, when the direction of the vector is upward in the state where the character key of &quot; mu &quot; is selected, as in the virtual keyboard shown in FIG. The character key group of two columns which are displayed in this virtual keyboard display area 46 and located under the "mu" character key are not displayed in the virtual keyboard display area 46. In addition, the scroll bar in the vertical scroll SCb moves upward.

In addition, in the state shown in FIG. 8A, when the character key of "た", "ち", or "つ" is focused, and the direction of a vector is a right direction, three columns of characters located to the right of the focused character key The key group is displayed in the virtual keyboard display area 46, and the character key group in the right three columns is not displayed from one end of the left side of the virtual keyboard display area 46. In addition, the scroll bar in the horizontal scroll SCa moves to the right direction.

Then, in the state shown in Fig. 8A, if any character key of "わ", "を" or "ん" is focused, and the direction of the vector is left, the two columns of characters located to the left of the focused character key The key group is displayed in the virtual keyboard display area 46, and the character key group in the left three columns is not displayed from one end of the right side of the virtual keyboard display area 46. In addition, the scroll bar in the horizontal scroll SCa moves to the right direction.

In this manner, the display can be scrolled even if the display size of the virtual keyboard is enlarged to display a part of the virtual keyboard. That is, in this portable terminal 10, the display size of a virtual keyboard can be enlarged so that a user can use it easily.

Here, when touch-released with respect to the character display area 44 in the state of the display size of the virtual keyboard shown in FIG. 7, it changes to the display size of the virtual keyboard shown in FIG. In other words, the display size of the virtual keyboard is reduced. In the state of the display size of the virtual keyboard shown in FIG. 3, when touched and released with respect to the character display area 44, the display returns to the display size of the virtual keyboard shown in FIG. 7. That is, the display size of the virtual keyboard increases. In addition, the position to touch and release may be in the virtual keyboard display area 46.

That is, in this portable terminal 10, since the display size of the virtual keyboard is switched every time the touch display area 44 is touched and released, the user can select the display size of the virtual keyboard that is easy to use. Will be.

The number of selection movements may be changed depending on the display size. For example, when the display size of the virtual keyboard is increased, the number of selection movements for the slide amount is increased. In addition, when the display size of the virtual keyboard is reduced, the number of selection movements for the slide amount is reduced.

The display size of the virtual keyboard is not limited to two, and the display size may be increased step by step whenever the character display area 44 is touched and released. In this case, when touch-and-release is performed in the state in which the display size is the maximum, what is necessary is just to return it to the state which is the minimum. The display size of the virtual keyboard is also displayed by simultaneously touching two points on the upper right side and the lower left side of the virtual keyboard display area 46 and simultaneously sliding the two points to the center of the virtual keyboard display area 46. May be made flexible. On the other hand, by touching two points at the center of the virtual keyboard display area 46 and sliding each touch to two points on the upper right side and the lower left side of the virtual keyboard display area 46, the display size of the virtual keyboard is reduced. You may make it flexible.

9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating another virtual keyboard. The alphabet virtual keyboard shown in FIG. 9A is used for inputting alphabets, and the numeral / symbol virtual keyboard shown in FIG. 9B is used for inputting numbers or symbols. In addition, when the "switching" key included in each virtual keyboard is selected and the operation to confirm is performed, it can switch in order of the hiragana virtual keyboard, alphabetic virtual keyboard, and number / symbol virtual keyboard shown in FIG.

10 is a diagram showing a memory map of the RAM 32. Referring to FIG. 10, the memory map 300 of the RAM 32 includes a program storage area 302 and a data storage area 304. Some of the programs and data are read out from the flash memory 30 all at once or partly and sequentially as needed, stored in the RAM 32, and then processed in the CPU 20 or the like.

The program storage area 302 stores a program for operating the portable terminal 10. The program for operating the portable terminal 10 is comprised by the virtual keyboard control program 310, the vector detection program 312, the selection position movement processing program 314, and the like.

The virtual keyboard control program 310 is a program for changing the character input and the display size by the virtual keyboard. The vector detection program 312 is a subroutine of the virtual keyboard control program 310, which is a program for correcting the direction of the vector by the slide. The selection position movement processing program 314 is a subroutine of the virtual keyboard control program 310, which is a program for calculating the number of selection movements from the slide amount and controlling the scrolling of the virtual keyboard.

Although not shown, a program for operating the mobile terminal 10 includes a call control program, a mail function control program, and the like.

In the data storage area 304, the operation buffer 320, the touch position buffer 322, the selection character buffer 324 and the confirmation character buffer 326 are formed. In addition, the touch coordinate map data 328, the virtual keyboard coordinate data 330, the display range coordinate data 332, the virtual keyboard data 334, and the character data 336 are stored in the data storage area 304. The first touch flag 338, the second touch flag 340, and the like are formed.

The operation buffer 320 is a buffer for temporarily storing the operation result processed while the program is being executed. The touch position buffer 322 is a buffer for temporarily storing an input result of a touch or the like detected by the touch panel 36. For example, the touch position buffer 322 temporarily stores coordinate data of a touch point and a release point. The character buffer 324 during selection is a buffer for temporarily storing character data corresponding to the focused character key in the virtual keyboard. The definite character buffer 326 is a buffer for temporarily storing the character data of the character of the definite selection.

The touch coordinate map data 328 is data for associating coordinates such as a touch point with respect to the touch panel 36 specified by the touch panel control circuit 34 with the display position of the LCD monitor 28. That is, the CPU 20 can correspond to the display of the LCD monitor 28 on the result of the touch operation performed on the touch panel 36 based on the touch coordinate map data 328.

The virtual keyboard coordinate data 330 includes coordinate data of each character key in the virtual keyboard. Therefore, the virtual keyboard coordinate data 330 contains the coordinate data of the character key of the part which is not displayed, even if it is a virtual keyboard which only a part is displayed like FIG. The display range coordinate data 332 is coordinate data of the virtual keyboard displayed on the LCD monitor 28. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the coordinate data of the character key of the part which is not displayed is not included. The virtual keyboard data 334 is composed of data such as a hiragana virtual keyboard shown in FIG. 3 and the like, an alphabetic virtual keyboard and a number / symbol virtual keyboard shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B and the like.

The character data 336 is data used for generating the character image data generated by the character generator 24 and includes character data temporarily stored in the character buffer 324 and the definite character buffer 326 during selection. do.

The first touch flag 338 is a flag that determines whether or not the touch panel 36 is touched (touched). For example, the first touch flag 338 is composed of a register of 1 bit. When the first touch flag 338 is established (on), the data value "1" is set in the register. When the first touch flag 338 is not established (off), the data value "0" is set in the register. In addition, the second touch flag 340 is a flag for determining whether or not it has been touched (touched) for the determination operation. In addition, since the structure of the 2nd touch flag 340 is the same structure as the 1st touch flag 380, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted for simplicity.

That is, the first touch flag 338 is used to determine whether a slide for selecting a character key to be focused from the virtual keyboard or a touch and release operation for changing the display size of the virtual keyboard has been performed. The flag 340 is used to determine whether a touch for deciding a character is made during selection.

Although not shown, an image file or the like is stored in the data storage area 304, and other counters and flags necessary for the operation of the portable terminal 10 are also formed. In each flag, "0" is set in the initial state.

The CPU 20 includes a plurality of virtual keyboard control processes shown in FIG. 11, a vector detection process shown in FIG. 12, a selection position shift process shown in FIG. 13, and the like under the control of a real-time OS such as ITRON, Symbian, or Linux. Execute tasks in parallel.

For example, when the user executes the mail function of the portable terminal 10 and performs an operation of creating a mail body, as shown in FIG. 11, the CPU 20 starts the virtual keyboard control process and the step S1. Displays the virtual keyboard. That is, the hiragana virtual keyboard shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the virtual keyboard display area 46 with the letter key of "み" being focused. In addition, the CPU 20 executing step S1 functions as a display means.

Subsequently, in step S3, the display size of the virtual keyboard is adapted. That is, the display size is made suitable so that the display size of the virtual keyboard falls within the range of the virtual keyboard display area 46. Specifically, the CPU 20 is adapted so that the width of the virtual keyboard matches the width of the virtual keyboard display area 46. In addition, in the process of step S3, you may make it possible to set the display size of a virtual keyboard to the display size initially preset by a user. That is, the CPU 20 executing step S3 functions as a suitable means, and can perform initial setting in the display size of the virtual keyboard.

Subsequently, in step S5, the initial buffer character data is temporarily stored in the character buffer 324 during selection. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the character data of "み" contained in the character data 336 is temporarily stored in the character buffer 324 during selection. In step S7, the character under selection is displayed. That is, the character key of "み" focused in the initial state is displayed on the character display area 44. Specifically, the CPU 20 gives the character generator 24 the character data temporarily stored in the character buffer 324 during selection, and controls the LCD driver 26 to select the LCD monitor 28. The character buffer 324 displays characters corresponding to the character data temporarily stored. That is, if the character data of "mi" in the character buffer 324 is temporarily stored during selection, the character during selection of "み" is displayed on the LCD monitor 28.

In step S9, initial touch position coordinates are set by variables Tbx and Tby. This variable Tbx is a variable for storing the horizontal coordinate of the previous touch position, and the variable Tby is a variable for storing the vertical coordinate of the previous touch position. These variables Tbx and Tby are used in the vector detection process which is mainly a subroutine. In addition, in this step S9, the coordinates showing the center of the character display area 44 are set to variables Tbx and Tby as initial touch position coordinates. In addition, when the first touch flag 338 is first turned on, that is, when the first touch flag is first touched, the touch point may be the initial touch position coordinates, and the processing of setting the initial touch position coordinates with the variables Tbx and Tby may also be performed for the first time. It may be executed at a time.

In step S11, it is determined whether or not it has touched two points. That is, it is determined whether the first touch flag 338 and the second touch flag 340 are on. In addition, the CPU 20 that executes the process of step S11 functions as a touch detection means. If YES in step S11, that is, the first touch flag 338 and the second touch flag 340 are not both on, the process proceeds to step S23. On the other hand, if " NO " in step S11, that is, if both the first touch flag 338 and the second touch flag 340 are off or only the first touch flag 338 is on, the vector detection process is executed in step S13. . Since this vector detection process is demonstrated in detail using the flowchart of the vector detection process shown in FIG. 12, it abbreviate | omits here.

In step S15, it is determined whether the vector detection is successful. That is, in the process of step S13, it is determined whether or not the vector is detected by sliding the character display area 44. If NO in step S15, i.e., no vector is detected, the process proceeds to step S19. On the other hand, if " YES " in step S15, the selection position shifting process is executed in step S17. Since this selection position movement process is demonstrated in detail using the flowchart of the selection position movement process shown in FIG. 13, it abbreviate | omits here.

Subsequently, in step S19, it is determined whether or not the operation is to change the display size of the virtual keyboard. For example, the character display area 44 determines whether touch and release has been made. If NO in step S19, that is, not an operation for changing the display size, the flow returns to step S11. On the other hand, if " YES " in step S19, i.e., operation to change the display size, the display size of the virtual keyboard is changed in step S21, and the process returns to step S11. That is, in step S21, the display size of the virtual keyboard is made larger or smaller. In addition, the CPU 20 that executes the process of step S21 functions as a change means.

Here, when the character determination operation is performed and it is determined "YES" in step S11, the determination character buffer 326 temporarily stores the character data temporarily stored in the character buffer 324 during selection in step S23. That is, if character data of "Ki" is temporarily stored in the character buffer 324 during selection, the character data of "Ki" is temporarily stored in the definite character buffer 326. In step S23, the background color of the focused character key is colored red. In addition, the CPU 20 which executes the process of step S23 functions as a character determination means.

Subsequently, in step S25, the confirmation character is displayed, and the virtual keyboard control process ends. That is, in step S25, the LCD monitor 28 causes the character data temporarily stored in the definite character buffer 326 to be displayed. When the process of step S25 ends, the process returns to step S11 so that another character key can be focused again.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the vector detection process shown in step S13 (see FIG. 11). When the process of step S13 is performed, the CPU 20 judges whether or not it is touched in step S31. In addition, the CPU 20 which executes the process of step S31 functions as a touch detection means. That is, it is determined whether the first touch flag 338 is on. If NO in step S31, i.e., it is not touched, the vector detection process is terminated, and the process returns to the virtual keyboard control process. On the other hand, if " YES " in step S31, i.e., touched, the touch position coordinates are set by the variables Tnx and Tny in step S33. That is, the current touch position coordinates are set by the variables Tnx and Tny. This variable Tnx is a variable for storing the horizontal coordinate of this touch position, and a variable Tny is a variable for storing the vertical coordinate of this touch position.

Subsequently, in step S35, it is determined whether each of the variables Tnx and Tny is different from each of the variables Tbx and Tby. In other words, it is determined whether the current touch position is different from the previous touch position. If " NO " in step S35, that is, if the current touch position and the previous touch position are the same, the vector detection process is terminated and the process returns to the virtual keyboard control process. On the other hand, if " YES " in step S35, i.e., the current touch position and the previous touch position are different, the horizontal movement amount and the vertical movement amount are calculated from the variables Tnx, Tny and the variables Tbx, Tby in step S37. That is, the horizontal shift amount is calculated from the equation shown in equation (3), and the vertical shift amount is calculated from the equation shown in equation (4).

&Quot; (3) &quot;

Tnx-Tbx = horizontal shift

&Quot; (4) &quot;

Tny-Tby = vertical shift

Subsequently, in step S39, it is determined whether the vertical movement amount is greater than the horizontal movement amount. That is, the absolute value of the calculated horizontal movement amount and the vertical movement amount is compared, and it is judged whether the longitudinal movement amount is larger than the horizontal movement amount. If NO in step S39, that is, if the longitudinal movement amount is not larger than the horizontal movement amount, the flow proceeds to step S43. On the other hand, if " YES " in step S39, that is, if the vertical movement amount is larger than the horizontal movement amount, the vector is made into the vertical movement amount in step S41. That is, the direction of the vector is corrected to the vector in the vertical direction. If the sign of the vertical movement amount is positive, the direction of the vector becomes downward, and if the sign of the vertical movement amount is negative, the direction of the vector becomes upward.

In step S43, it is determined whether the vertical movement amount is different from the horizontal movement amount. In other words, it is determined whether the absolute value of the calculated horizontal movement amount and the vertical movement amount are different. If it is "NO" in step S43, that is, if the horizontal movement amount and the vertical movement amount coincide, the angle of the vector with respect to the horizontal coordinate is 45 degrees, and the flow proceeds to step S47 without correcting the direction of the vector. On the other hand, if " YES " in step S43, that is, if the horizontal movement amount and the vertical movement amount are different, the vector is made the horizontal movement amount in step S45. That is, if the horizontal movement amount is larger than the vertical movement amount, the direction of the vector is corrected to the horizontal vector. If the sign of the horizontal movement amount is positive, the direction of the vector becomes the right direction, and if the sign of the horizontal movement amount is negative, the direction of the vector becomes the left direction. In addition, the CPU 20 that executes the processes of steps S39-S45 functions as a correction means.

In step S47, the touch position coordinates are set by the variables Tbx and Tby, the vector detection process is terminated, and the process returns to the virtual keyboard control process. That is, the current touch position is stored as the previous touch position for the next time vector detection process.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a selection position movement process shown in step S17 (see FIG. 11). When the process of step S17 is performed, the CPU 20 acquires the number of selection movements from the vector in step S71. That is, based on the formula shown in Formula (1), the selection shift number is obtained from the vector corrected in step S41 or step S45. Subsequently, in step S63, it is determined whether the number of selected movements is greater than zero. In other words, it is determined whether or not the number of selected movements is already zero by the process of step S65 or below. If NO in step S63, that is, if the number of selection movements is 0, the selection position movement processing is terminated, and the process returns to the virtual keyboard control process.

On the other hand, if " YES " in step S63, that is, if the number of selection movements is 1 or more, it is determined in step S65 whether the selection position is one end of the virtual keyboard. That is, it is determined whether the focused character key is one end of the virtual keyboard. Specifically, from the virtual keyboard coordinate data 330, it is determined whether the position of the focused character key is located at one end of the virtual keyboard. If " YES " in step S65, i.e., if the selection position is located at one end of the virtual keyboard, the selection position cannot be moved further, and the selection position shifting process is terminated, and the process returns to the virtual keyboard control process. On the other hand, if "NO" in step S65, that is, if the selection position is not one end of the virtual keyboard, it is determined in step S67 whether the moving destination is on the screen. That is, it is determined whether or not the character key to be focused next is included in the display range coordinate data 332.

If YES in step S67, that is, if the moving destination is on the screen, the flow advances to step S73. On the other hand, if "NO" in step S67, that is, if the moving destination is not on the screen, the scroll direction is determined from the direction of the vector in step S69. That is, it determines whether to scroll in which direction among left, right, up and down directions. For example, if the direction of the vector is downward, the scroll direction is also downward. In addition, if the direction of the vector is the right direction, the scroll direction is also the right direction. Subsequently, in step S71, the display of the virtual keyboard is scrolled. In other words, as shown in Figs. 8A and 8B, when the focused character key is one end of the virtual keyboard displayed and the direction of the vector is downward, the display of the virtual keyboard is scrolled downward. In addition, the CPU 20 that executes the processing of step S71 functions as a scrolling means.

Subsequently, in step S73, the selection position is moved. That is, the focused character key is moved by one in the direction of the corrected vector. For example, referring to FIG. 4, when the focused character key is "み" and the vector is slid so that the direction of the vector is right, first, the selected position moves to the right by one, so the letter key of "HI" Is focused. In step S73, the background color of the focused character key is colored pale yellow. Subsequently, in step S75, the selected character data is temporarily stored in the character buffer 324 during selection. That is, if the character key "H" is selected, the character data "H" is temporarily stored in the character buffer 324 during selection. In step S75, the background color of the focused character key is colored yellow. In addition, the CPU 20 that executes the process of step S75 functions as a character selection means.

Subsequently, in step S77, the character under selection is displayed. That is, similarly to step S7, the character corresponding to the focused character key is displayed in the character display area 44 as the character being selected. In addition, the CPU 20 which executes the process of step S77 functions as a character display control means. Subsequently, in step S79, the number of selection moves is reduced by one, and the flow returns to step S63. That is, in step S63, since the selection position is moved by one in step S73, the number of selection movements is reduced by one.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, when it slides with respect to the character display area 44, the process of step S63 to step S79 is repeatedly performed until the selection movement number becomes zero. Thereby, the character data temporarily stored in the character buffer 324 during selection is updated, and the character image corresponding to the updated character data is sequentially displayed.

Second Embodiment of the Present Invention

In the second embodiment, the case where the range for accepting the operation of the slide is limited will be described. In addition, in 2nd Example, even if it shows the structure of the portable terminal 10 of FIG. 1 demonstrated in 1st Example, and the external appearance of the portable terminal 10 of FIG. 2, it is shown to FIG. 4, FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B. Since the procedure of operation, the display size of the virtual keyboard shown in FIG. 7, the kind of virtual keyboard shown in FIG. 9A, 9B, and the memory map shown in FIG. 10 are the same, overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the slide is accepted in the touch area TA. Specifically, with reference to FIG. 14, the touch area TA included in the character display area 44 is almost the same area as the virtual keyboard display area 46. By correlating the display coordinates of the touch area TA with the display coordinates of the virtual keyboard display area 46, the character key to be focused can be determined according to the position where the touch area TA is touched. In addition, when it slides as it is, the character key corresponding to the coordinate which shows the trajectory of a slide is focused. For example, when the upper right side of the touch area TA is touched, the letter key of "あ" is focused, and if the user slides downward to the lower right, the "い", "う", "え", and "お" Character keys are focused sequentially.

In addition, in the virtual keyboard control process shown in FIG. 11, the touch position is detected instead of the vector detection in the vector detection process of step S13, and the selection is performed on the character key corresponding to the detected touch position in the selection position shifting process of step S17. Move position Therefore, the vector detection process shown in FIG. 12 and the selection position shift process shown in FIG. 13 are not processed in the second embodiment.

Third Embodiment of the Present Invention

In the third embodiment, the case of limiting the range in which the operation of the slide is accepted similarly to the second embodiment will be described. In addition, in 3rd Example, even if it shows the structure of the portable terminal 10 of FIG. 1 demonstrated in 1st Example, and the external appearance of the portable terminal 10 of FIG. 2, it is shown to FIG. 4, FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B. Procedure of operation, display size of the virtual keyboard shown in FIG. 7, types of virtual keyboard shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, memory map shown in FIG. 10, virtual keyboard control process shown in FIG. 11, vector detection process shown in FIG. 12, and Since the selection position shift processing shown in FIG. 13 and the diagrams showing the range of the touch area TA in FIG. 14 described in the second embodiment are the same, duplicated description is omitted.

In the third embodiment, unlike the second embodiment, operation of the slide for moving the selection position or the like is performed without making the display coordinates of the touch area TA correspond to the display coordinates of the virtual keyboard display area 46, respectively. Accept only in the touch area TA. Then, by setting the background color of the touch area TA to a color different from that of the character display area 44, the user is allowed to recognize the area that receives the slide operation. This makes it possible to change the display position of the cursor CU or to select a determined character by a touch operation on the character display area 44 other than the touch area TA.

As can be seen from the above description, the portable terminal 10 includes an LCD monitor 28, and the LCD monitor 28 includes a character display area 44 capable of displaying a character string or the like indicating a mail body; And a virtual keyboard display area 46 capable of displaying a hiragana or virtual keyboard. The touch panel 36 is formed on the upper surface of the LCD monitor 28, and the touch panel 36 detects a touch operation on the character display area 44 or the like. Then, by sliding a finger in the character display area 44, the selection position in the virtual keyboard can be moved, and the character key indicated by the selection position, that is, the character corresponding to the focused character key is displayed in the character display area 44. do.

Thereby, the user can easily focus (select) the character keys in the virtual keyboard by sliding the finger with respect to the character display area 44. When the user sets only the character display area 44 to be a touch operation area, the user does not obstruct the display of the virtual keyboard with his or her finger, so that the user can perform character input accurately.

In the above embodiment, the area corresponding to the character display area 44 on the touch panel 36 is a touch operation area. However, the present invention is not limited to this case, and the character on the touch panel 36 is not limited thereto. In addition to the display area 44, an area corresponding to the virtual keyboard display area 46 or any other area on the touch panel 36 may be included as the touch area for selecting characters on the virtual keyboard. In this case, the user can select a character on the virtual keyboard using a wide range, so that the character can be input easily and accurately.

In addition, a dedicated cursor may be used to indicate the focus of the character key. The virtual keyboard may be used not only for the mail function but also for a memo pad function, a mail address input function, a URL input function, and the like. In the initial state of the virtual keyboard, a letter key other than "み" may be selected. In addition, the background color of each key in the virtual keyboard is not limited to only gray, yellow, pale yellow, and red, and other colors may be used. The underline U indicating the character during selection may be another line such as a dashed line or a double line, or the character during selection may be italic characters, bold characters, or the like.

In addition, the communication method of the portable terminal 10 may employ not only the CDMA method but also the W-CDMA method, the TDMA method, the PHS method, and the GSM method. Not only the portable terminal 10 but also a portable information terminal such as a PDA (Personal Degital Assistant) or the like may be used.

In addition, although the character keys of the keyboard were displayed in Japanese in FIGS. 1-8B and 14, they are not necessarily limited to Japanese. For example, the Chinese may display the character keys of the keyboard in a language appropriate for each country, such as Chinese, Chinese, Korean, Korean, or the like. That is, you may change the display of the character key of a keyboard according to the language of each country.

Moreover, this invention provides the following embodiment. In addition, the reference signs and supplementary descriptions in parentheses are described for ease of understanding, and are not limited to the reference signs and supplementary explanations in parentheses.

According to the first invention, since the touch response region is formed in the display device displaying the first display region and the second display region, and the characters in the virtual keyboard are selected by the touch operation on the touch response region, the character selection is performed. It becomes easy, and a user can perform easy and accurate character input.

2nd invention depends on 1st invention, and is a portable terminal in which a touch response area | region is formed only in the area | region corresponding to a 1st display area.

In the second aspect of the invention, since the touch response region is formed only in the region corresponding to the first display region, the user performs the touch operation only in the first display region.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the user does not obstruct the display of the virtual keyboard by his touch operation, the user can accurately input characters.

The third invention further includes character determination means for determining the character selected by the character selection means, depending on the first invention or the second invention.

In the third invention, the character determination means 20, S23 determines the character selected by the character selection means, for example, when a determination operation for confirming the selected character is performed.

According to the third invention, a plurality of characters can be input continuously by determining the displayed characters. That is, the user can create a sentence in the portable terminal.

4th invention depends on 3rd invention, and a character determination means confirms the character selected by the character selection means, when a touch with respect to a different point is detected by the touch operation detection means.

In 4th invention, a definite operation touches in the position different from the touch operation of selecting a character. When the character determination means is touched at a position different from the touch operation for selecting the character, the character determination means determines the selected character.

According to the fourth invention, the user can determine the selected character by using the touch panel.

5th invention depends on any one of 1st invention-4th invention, Comprising means which corrects as a slide operation of a left-right or up-down direction, when a touch operation is a slide operation and a slide operation is a slide operation of an inclination direction. It is further provided.

In the fifth invention, the characters of the virtual keyboard are selected by the slide operation. And the correction means 20, S39-S45 correct | amends as slide operation of a left-right or up-down direction, when a slide operation becomes a diagonal direction.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the direction of the slide operation is limited to the left and right or up and down directions, it is possible to prevent an incorrect operation when selecting a character.

The sixth invention is dependent on any one of the first to fifth inventions, and further includes suitable means for making the display size of the virtual keyboard suitable for the second display area.

In the sixth invention, the fitting means 20, S3 makes the display size suitable or suits the preset display size so that, for example, the horizontal width of the virtual keyboard matches the horizontal width of the second display area.

According to the sixth invention, the initial setting can be made in the display size of the virtual keyboard.

7th invention depends on any one of 1st invention-5th invention, a part of a virtual keyboard is displayed in a 2nd display area, and display of the character selected by the character selection means is one end of a 2nd display area. And scroll means for scrolling the display of the virtual keyboard.

In the seventh invention, a part of the virtual keyboard is displayed in the second display area. When the characters of one end of the displayed virtual keyboard are selected, the scroll means 20, S71 scrolls the display of the virtual keyboard in the second display area so that the virtual keyboard of the part not displayed is displayed. In other words, even if the entire virtual keyboard is not displayed, the virtual keyboard of the non-displayed portion can be recognized by scrolling the display.

According to the seventh invention, the display size of the virtual keyboard can be made large so that the user can use it easily.

The eighth invention is dependent on the seventh invention and further includes display size changing means for changing the display size of the virtual keyboard.

In the eighth invention, the display size changing means 20, S21 changes the virtual keyboard display size in accordance with an operation for changing the display size of the virtual keyboard.

According to the eighth invention, the user can select the display size of the virtual keyboard which he or she is easy to use.

The ninth invention is dependent on any one of the first to eighth inventions, wherein the character selecting means updates a character to be selected according to a touch operation, and the character display control means sequentially displays each updated character. (S63-S79).

In the ninth invention, when a plurality of characters are continuously selected by the slide operation, the characters selected by the character selecting means are updated. Then, in the second display area, each character updated by the slide operation is sequentially displayed.

According to the ninth aspect, the user can sequentially check each selected character.

In addition, the whole content of Unexamined-Japanese-Patent Application 2008-277616 (October 29, 2008 application) is integrated in this specification by reference.

Industrial availability

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable terminal, and in particular, it can be used for, for example, a portable terminal for inputting text using a touch panel.

10 ... Handheld terminal
20 ... CPU
22 ... Keystroke device
24 ... Character generator
28. LCD monitor
32 ... RAM
34 ... Touch panel control circuit
36 ... Touch panel

Claims (10)

A display device including a first display area capable of displaying a character string and a second display area capable of displaying a virtual keyboard,
A touch manipulation detection means for detecting a touch manipulation in the touch response region in a touch response region formed in the display device;
Character selection means for selecting a character in the virtual keyboard based on the touch operation detected by the touch operation detecting means, and
Character display control means for displaying a character selected by said character selecting means in said first display area,
Further comprising character determination means for confirming the character selected by said character selection means,
The character determination means is characterized in that when the touch operation detection means detects a touch with respect to a position different from the position by the touch operation for selecting the character, while the touch operation for selecting the character is present, the character is determined. A portable terminal for confirming a character selected by the selection means. The method of claim 1,
And the touch response area is formed only in an area corresponding to the first display area. delete delete The method of claim 1,
The touch operation is a slide operation,
And a correction means for correcting as a slide operation in a left-right or up-down direction when the slide operation is a slide operation in an inclined direction. The method of claim 1,
And a suitable means for fitting the display size of the virtual keyboard to the second display area. The method of claim 1,
A portion of the virtual keyboard is displayed on the second display area,
And a scroll means for scrolling the display of the virtual keyboard when the display of the character selected by the character selection means is one end of the second display area. The method of claim 7, wherein
And a display size changing means for changing the display size of the virtual keyboard. The method of claim 1,
The character selecting means updates a character to be selected in accordance with the touch operation;
And the character display control means sequentially displays each updated character. A display device including a first display area capable of displaying a character string and a second display area capable of displaying a virtual keyboard,
A touch manipulation detection means for detecting a touch manipulation in the touch response region in a touch response region formed in the display device;
Character selection means for selecting a character in the virtual keyboard based on the touch operation detected by the touch operation detecting means, and
Character display control means for displaying a character selected by said character selecting means in said first display area,
And the touch response area is formed only in an area corresponding to the first display area.

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